Manifold system and method for compressed medical gases

ABSTRACT

A manifold system is provided herein. The manifold is operative to automatically switch between an In-Use supply of compressed gas to a Reserve supply of compressed gas. The manifold system is constructed so that after it has been installed, it may be converted for use in other applications such as between compressed gas cylinders and portable bulk liquefied gas. The system may include low wattage electric heaters which are mechanically held in direct contact with the valve seat body housing of the primary regulators. The direct contact of the heaters with the valve seat is operative to prevent the primary regulator valve seat from freezing up. The manifold system may include transducers at a plurality of points in the system. A processor is operative to control one or more solenoids to switch supplies of compressed gas and to trigger alarms responsive to the outputs of the transducers.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Ser. No.60/424,552, filed Nov. 7, 2002.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to the supply of compressed gases. Specifically,this invention relates to a manifold system and method for compressedmedical gases.

BACKGROUND ART

It is often necessary for trained personnel to provide a variety ofgases in a medical facility or other type of facility. Examples of suchgases include medical air, oxygen, nitrogen, nitrous oxide, and carbondioxide. Systems are also often installed in medical facilities whichprovide vacuum or gas evacuation. Gas service may be provided through asystem which delivers the gas throughout a facility or portions or zonesthereof. A number of primary supply sources of gas are used to delivergas through outlet ports positioned at locations within the medicalfacility. The delivery system for each type of gas commonly includesmanifolds with appropriate shut-off valves and pressure gauges. Theprimary supply source for each gas may be located in a secure area inthe interior of the medical facility. Alternatively a primary supplysource may be located at the exterior of the facility for maintenance byoutside vendors providing the various gases.

It is critically important that the correct gas at the proper pressurebe continuously supplied by the medical gas supply system. Consequentlythere exists a need for a system of supplying compressed gases that isoperative to minimize interruption of the supply of the compressedgases. There also exists a need for a system of supplying compressedgases which can efficiently activate alarms responsive to changes to thesupply of compressed gases to the system. In addition, there exists aneed for a system of supplying compressed gases which is convertible foruse with a plurality of different sources of compressed gases. Furtherthere exists a need for a system of supply compressed gases which isless costly to produce.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

It is an object of an exemplary form of the present invention to providea method and system of supplying compressed gases that is operative tominimize interruption of the supply of the compressed gases.

It is a further object of an exemplary form of the present invention toprovide a method and system of supplying compressed gases which canefficiently activate alarms responsive to changes to the supply ofcompressed gases to the system.

It is a further object of an exemplary form of the present invention toprovide a method and system of supplying compressed gases which isconvertible for use with a plurality of different sources of compressedgases.

It is a further object of an exemplary form of the present invention toprovide a method and system of supplying compressed gases which is lessexpensive to produce.

Further objects of the present invention will be made apparent in thefollowing Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention and the appendedclaims.

The foregoing objects are accomplished in an exemplary embodiment by amanifold that is operative to automatically switch between an “In-Use”supply of compressed gas to a “Reserve” supply of compressed gas. Themanifold system may include a plurality of transducers at a plurality ofpoints in the system. The system may include a logic board with aprocessor that is operative to control one or more solenoid valves toswitch between the In-Use and Reserve supplies of compressed gas and totrigger alarms responsive to the output pressures of the compressedgases in the system being above or below predetermined alarm limits

In the exemplary embodiment, the manifold system may be designed andbuilt so that, after it has been installed, it may be converted for usein other applications or other supply sources including compressed gascylinders, portable bulk liquefied gas, and different types of gases.For higher pressure compressed gas supplies, the system may include lowwattage electric heaters which are mechanically held in direct contactwith the valve seat body housing of the primary regulators. The directcontact of the heaters with the valve seat is operative to prevent theprimary regulator valve seat from freezing up.

In one exemplary configuration of the manifold system for use withcompressed gas cylinders, the manifold system may employ only a singlesolenoid valve to switch between two different input supplies ofcompressed gases. In this described embodiment, the primary regulatorsfor each input supply line may be set to produce different intermediatepressures which are fed through check valves to a common location. Thesingle solenoid may be positioned upstream of a first check valveconnected to a first primary regulator which is set to the relativelyhigher pressure point. When the solenoid valve is open, the relativelyhigher intermediate pressure of the gases output from the first primaryregulator are operative to keep a second check valve associated with thesecond primary regulator closed. Thus, only the compressed gases fromthe first primary regulator are operative to flow through the system.When the solenoid valve is closed, the absence of the relatively higherintermediate pressure of gases from the first primary regulator enablesthe second check valve to open. Thus, the supply of compressed gasesfrom the second primary regulator are operative to flow through thesystem.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of a manifoldsystem for compressed gases for use with portable bulk liquefied gasvessels.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a further exemplary embodiment of amanifold system for compressed gases for use with compressed gascylinders.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of a display panelfor a manifold system for compressed gases.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a further exemplary embodiment of adisplay panel for a manifold system for compressed gases.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of a manifoldsystem for compressed gases in a first configuration.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of a manifoldsystem for compressed gases in a second configuration.

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a heatingdevice for a manifold system for compressed gases.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the assembly for the heating device.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 there isshown therein an exemplary embodiment of a gas supply system 10. Thesystem 10 includes a manifold 20 with at least two gas input supplylines 12, 14 and at least one gas output supply line 16. The inputsupply lines 12, 14 may be adapted to releasably connect to gas supplysources 22, 24. As shown in FIG. 1 examples of gas supply sources 22, 24may include portable bulk liquefied gas vessels 70 which include storedtherein liquefied gases such as Carbon Dioxide, Helium, HyperbaricOxygen, Nitrogen, Nitrous Oxide, and Oxygen and other liquefied gases.As shown in FIG. 2 examples of gas supply sources 22, 24 may alsoinclude banks of compressed gas cylinders 72 which include storedtherein compressed gases such as air, medical air, Carbon Dioxide,Helium, Hyperbaric Oxygen, Nitrogen, Nitrous Oxide, Oxygen, and Tri-Gas,and other compressed gases. The output supply line 16 may be adapted toreleasably connect with a pipeline 26 that supplies compressed gasesfrom the manifold to a hospital or other facility.

The exemplary embodiment of the manifold 20 is operative to selectivelydirect compressed gases from either the first or second input supplylines 12, 14 to the output supply line 16. The first or second inputsupply line which is currently activated to supply gas to the outputline 16 is associated with an “In-Use” supply status. The other of thefirst or second input supply lines which is not associated with theIn-Use supply status may be associated with a “Reserve” supply status.The exemplary embodiment of the manifold 20 is operative to detect whenthe gas pressure for the In-Use supply line falls below a thresholdvalue. When this is detected, to prevent any interruption of the supplyof gas to the output line 16, the manifold is operative to automaticallyconfigure the input supply lines 12 and 14 such that the input supplyline corresponding to the Reserve supply begins to supply compressed gasto the output supply line 16 while the original In-Use input supply lineis prevented from further supply of compressed gases to the outputsupply line 16.

When the switch between the input supply lines occurs, the status of theoriginal Reserve input supply line changes to In-Use. The previousIn-Use supply may then be associated with “Empty” supply status. Inaddition, the exemplary embodiment of the manifold may further detectwhen the pressure of the Empty supply has returned to a level above thethreshold value. When this is detected, the manifold is furtheroperative to automatically change the status input line associated withthe Empty supply status to the Reserve supply status.

The exemplary embodiment of the manifold may be mounted in an enclosure50. Such an enclosure may include an externally viewable display panel.As shown in FIG. 3, the display panel 54 may be mounted to a door orcover 52 of the enclosure and may include one or more display devices.Such display devices may output indicia representative of the pressurelevels of the various input and output supply lines of the system. Forexample the display devices may include an output supply display device56 which is operative to output a current pressure level for the outputsupply line 16. The display devices may also include a first inputsupply display device 58 which is operative to output a current pressurelevel for the first input supply line. The display devices may alsoinclude a second input supply display device 60 which is operative tooutput a current pressure level for the second input supply line.

In addition to indicating pressure levels, the display panel 54 mayfurther include display devices which output the statuses associatedwith each of the input supply lines. For example, in an exemplaryembodiment, the display panel may include a first set 62 of three LEDsassociated with the first input supply line; and a second set 64 ofthree LEDs associated with the second input supply line. In thisdescribed exemplary embodiment, the top LEDs 82, 83 for each set ofthree LED's may indicate which of the input supply lines is associatedwith the In-Use status. In the example of the display panel 54 shown inFIG. 3 the first top LED 82 is lit (shown as black in the drawings)while the second top LED 83 is off (shown as white in the drawings).This indicates that the first supply line associated with the first topLED 82 has an In-Use status and is currently supplying compressed gasesto the output supply line 16.

Also, in this described exemplary embodiment, the middle LEDs 84, 85 foreach set of three LEDs indicate which of the input supply lines isassociated with the Reserve status. In the example of the display panel54 shown in FIG. 3 the second middle LED 85 is lit while the firstmiddle LED 84 is off. This indicates that the second supply lineassociated with the second middle LED 85 has a Reserve status and isavailable to be used for supplying compressed gases to the output supplyline 16 when required. The bottom LEDs 86, 87 for each set of threeLED's indicate whether either of the input supply lines have asufficiently low pressure to be associated with an “Empty” status. Inthe example of the display panel 54 shown in FIG. 3 neither of the firstand second bottom LEDs 86, 87 are lit. This indicates that neither thefirst nor second supply lines associated with the first and secondbottom LEDs 86, 87 have a sufficiently low pressure to be associatedwith the Empty status.

As shown in FIG. 1, in addition to the first and second gas supply inputlines 12, 14, the manifold 20 may further include an emergency reserveinput line 18. The emergency reserve input line 18 may be adapted to bereleasably connect with one or more compressed gas cylinders 28 forexample which may be used to supply gases to the system in instancesinvolving an emergency, a need for maintenance, a requirement ofinspection, certification testing or service of the first and secondinput supply lines 12, 14 and/or gas supplies 22, 24.

FIG. 4 shows an alternative exemplary embodiment of display panel 100for a manifold which includes an emergency reserve input line 18. Herethe display panel 100 includes additional display devices 104, 106. Theadditional display devices may output indicia representative of thepressure levels associated with the emergency reserve. For example, thefirst additional display device 104 may output the high pressure levelassociated with the source of the emergency reserve supply 28 shown inFIG. 1. The exemplary embodiment of the system may include a pressureregulator 504 between the emergency reserve supply source 28 and theemergency reserve input supply line 18 which is operative to lower thepressure of the compressed gas at the input supply line 18 relative theinitial pressure of the gas supply source 28. Referring back to FIG. 4,the second additional display device 106 may output the intermediatepressure level associated with the gas pressure at the emergency reservesupply input line 18.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show two configurations 200, 202 in which an exemplaryembodiment of the manifold 20 may be configured. The manifoldconfiguration 202 shown in FIG. 5 is operative for use with portablebulk liquefied gas supply sources. The manifold configuration 204 shownin FIG. 6 is operative for use with relatively higher pressurecompressed gas cylinder supply sources. Each of these configurations maybe used in the enclosure 50 of the manifold without modifying thelocations of the output supply line 16, and the input supply lines 12,14 with respect to the enclosure 50. Also in this exemplary embodiment,both configurations 202, 204 may share a common upper portion 206 whichmay remain unchanged for each of the configurations 202, 204. The upperportion 206 of the manifold for each configuration 200, 202 includes atleast two parallel sets of line pressure regulators 208, 210 and ballvalves 212. The ball valves 212 may be selectively opened and closed todirect gases through either of the pressure regulators 208, 210 to theoutput supply line 16. The parallel configuration of the line pressureregulators provides a redundant or backup path for the supply of gasesthrough the upper portion 206 of the manifold for each of theconfigurations 200, 202.

In this described exemplary embodiment, the manifold 20 may include alower portion 218 which is changeable between different configurations214, 216 for each of the configurations 200, 220 of the manifold. Whichconfiguration that is used for the manifold is based on the type andpressure of gas supply sources being connected to the input supply lines12, 14. In the exemplary embodiment the elements that comprise thedifferent configurations 214, 216 of the lower portion 218 may bechanged out at a facility while the common elements of the manifold 20such as the output supply line 16, the input supply lines 12, 14, andthe upper portion 206, remain unchanged. Also, in an exemplaryembodiment, the elements that comprise the different configurations 214,216 of the lower portion 218 may be in releasable connection with eachother. Thus a technician may perform the re-configuration of the lowerportion 218 with conventional tools such as wrenches in a relativelyexpedient manner while the manifold remains mounted in place at afacility. Also, in an exemplary embodiment the line regulators 208,210may be exchanged for different line regulators which provide a higherflow and/or are cryogenic in design.

For example, if the manifold 20 is initially installed at a facility foruse with a relatively high pressure compressed gas cylinder supplysource, the manifold configuration 204 shown in FIG. 6 may be used. Ifthe facility chooses to install a new relatively lower pressure portablebulk liquefied gas supply vessel source, rather than replacing theoriginal manifold 20, with a new manifold, the original manifold mayremain in place and the lower portion 216 of the manifold may bere-configured to correspond to the lower portion 214 shown in FIG. 5.

In the exemplary embodiment, the configuration 214 of the lower portion218 shown in FIG. 5 includes a pair of solenoid valves 230, 232 inoperative connection with each of the input supply lines 12, 14. Thesolenoid valves are operative to open and close responsive to anelectromagnetic signal. As will be explained in more detail below, aprocessor 42 of the manifold is operative to synchronize the operationof the solenoid valves to selectively control which of the input supplylines 12, 14 is enabled to supply gases to the upper portion of the 206of the manifold. For example, when the processor detects that thepressure in the In-Use input supply line has fallen below a setthreshold, the processor is operative to cause the solenoid valveassociated with the current In-Use input supply line to close and isoperative to cause the solenoid valve associated with the Reserve inputsupply line to open so as to maintain a continuous flow of gases to theoutput supply line 16.

The configuration 216 of the lower portion 218 shown in FIG. 6 isoperative for use with relatively higher pressure compressed gascylinders supply source. For each of the input supply lines 12, 14, thisdescribed exemplary configuration 216 includes primary regulators 240,242. The primary regulators are operative to reduce the pressureoriginating from the input supply lines 12, 14 to an intermediate levelwhich is within the pressure ranges for the elements of the manifolddown stream of the primary regulators. The intermediate pressure gasesexiting the pressure regulators 240, 242 are respectively directed tothe upper portion 206 of the manifold. In the exemplary embodiment, thesystem includes two check valves 253, 254 which operate mechanically andautomatically to stop a reverse flow of gas. A first one of the checkvalves 252 is positioned downstream of the first primary regulator 240.The second one of the check valves 254 is positioned downstream of thesecond primary regulator 242. In the exemplary embodiments the outputsof the check valves direct gases to a common location in the upperportion 206 of the manifold 20. In this described exemplary embodimentthe common location is an intermediate pressure gauge 256. Also, in thisdescribed exemplary embodiment, the configuration 216 of the lowerportion 218 of the manifold 20 includes a single solenoid valve 260between the first pressure regulator 240 and the first check valve 252but does not include a solenoid valve between the second pressureregulator 242 and the second check valve 254.

To enable the system to selectively control which input supply line 12,14 is In-Use and which input supply line is in Reserve with a singlesolenoid valve, the exemplary embodiment is configured such that thefirst pressure regulator 240 is set to reduce the pressure of the gasesfrom the first input supply line 12 to a first intermediate pressurelevel which is relatively higher than a second intermediate pressurelevel produced by the second primary regulator 242 connected to thesecond input supply line 14. Thus, when the solenoid valve 260 is openedresponsive to the operation of the processor of the manifold, the firstinput supply line is associated with the In-Use status and is operativeto supply compressed gas through the manifold to the output supply line.However, because the first intermediate gas pressure produced by thefirst pressure regulator 240 is relatively higher than the secondintermediate gas pressure produced by the second pressure regulator 242,the second check valve 254 remains closed, preventing the gases fromflowing into the upper portion 206 from the second input supply line 14.The second input supply line 14 thus remains unused with the Reservestatus.

When the solenoid valve 260 is closed, thereby shutting off the supplyof gases from the first input supply line 12, the relatively higherintermediate gas pressure from the first primary regulator 240 is nolonger present to close the check valve 254, and the supply of gasesinto the upper portion 206 of the manifold 20 begins to be supplied fromthe second input supply line 14. As a result the second input supplyline becomes associated with the In-Use status, and the first inputsupply line may become associated with the Empty status.

In an example use of the exemplary embodiment of the manifold system inwhich the delivery pressure of gases at the output supply line 16 isabout 50 PSI, the first primary regulator 240 may be set to produce anoutput gas pressure of about 180 PSI while the second primary regulator242 is set to output a gas pressure of about 120 PSI. However, it is tobe understood that different configurations of the exemplary embodimentmay include other differential pressures between the first and secondprimary regulators 240, 242 depending on the desired pressure of theoutput supply line 16.

As shown in FIG. 2, a compressed gas cylinders source 72 can producerelatively high pressures at the input supply lines 12, 14 in the rangeof 2,500 PSI for example. As shown in FIG. 6, the primary regulators240, 242 may be operative to reduce such high inlet pressures of thegases to intermediate pressure ranges of less than 200 PSI for example.Pressure reductions of this magnitude caused by the primary regulators240, 242 may significantly lower the temperature of the primaryregulators 240, 242. To prevent the valve seats of the primaryregulators from freezing up, an exemplary embodiment of the system mayfurther include a heater device adapted to mount directly to the backportions of the primary regulators 240, 242.

An exemplary embodiment of such a heating device 300 mounted to aprimary regulator 306 is shown in FIG. 7. A schematic assembly of theheating device 300 is shown in FIG. 8. In this described exemplaryembodiment the heating device 300 includes a heating element 302 such asa ceramic heater or other electrically controlled heating element. Theheating device is operative to mount the heating element adjacent theback of a primary regulator 306. As shown in FIG. 8 the heating device300 is operative to releasably mount to the hexagonal portion 308located on the back of the regulator 306. The hexagonal portion mayhouse or be adjacent to the valve seat of the pressure regulator.

For this purpose the exemplary embodiment of the heating device mayinclude a joining plate 310 with at least two threaded holes 312 whichare operative to cooperatively receive joining screws 314. The heatingdevice may further include a lock ring 316 with a plurality of lockingset screws 318. When both the joining plate and the lock ring arepositioned around the hexagonal portion 308, the locking set screws 318may be screwed inwardly to mechanically lock the lock ring and joiningplate to hexagonal portion 308.

In the exemplary embodiment the ceramic heater 302 is sandwiched betweena thermostat bracket 320 and a clamp bracket 322. A wave spring 324 mayfurther be included to maintain the ceramic heater 302 in engagementwith the upper surface 326 of the thermostat bracket. In the exemplaryembodiment the joining screws 314 pass through apertures in the clampbracket and the thermostat bracket and are threaded into the holes 312of the joining plate to lock the heating device together on the primaryregulator 306. In this configuration the opposed face 327 of thethermostat bracket 320 is in physical contact with the top surface ofthe hexagonal portion 308. As a result the ceramic heater 302 and thedescribed bracketry 330 are in direct physical contact with the back ofthe primary regulator 306 and is operative to transfer heat energydirectly to the primary regulator 306. The described heating device 300may operate at about 100 watts to prevent the valve seat of a primaryregulator from freezing up.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the exemplary embodiment of the manifold 20may include a first input supply transducer 32 in operative connectionwith the first input supply line 12. The manifold 20 may also include asecond input supply transducer 34 in operative connection with thesecond input supply line 14. The manifold 20 may also include a thirdoutput supply transducer 36 in operative connection with the outputsupply line 16 of the manifold or the pipeline 26 to the facility.

The first, second and third transducers 32, 34, 36 are operative toprovide electrical signals representative of the gas pressures withinthe respective first and second gas supply input lines 12, 14 and outputsupply line 16. The exemplary embodiment of the manifold 20 may furtherincludes a logic board 40. The logic board 40 may include the processor42 in operative connection with the first, second and third transducers32, 34, 36.

In the described exemplary embodiment, the processor 42 is operativeresponsive to the electrical signals from the transducers 32, 34, 36 tooutput corresponding pressure levels through the previously describeddisplay devices 58, 60, 56 of the display panel 54. In the exemplaryembodiment the logic board may include a jumper pin block, dip switch orother selection device which enables an operator to select the desiredpressure units of measurement for the display devices 58, 60, 56. Forexample, in the described exemplary embodiment, the processor may beresponsive to the selection device on the logic board to calculate andoutput pressure units of measurement corresponding to PSIG, kPa, or BAR.

In addition, in the described exemplary embodiment, the processor 42 isresponsive to the transducers 32 and 36 to control the operation of thetwo solenoid valves 230, 232 of the manifold configuration 202 shown inFIG. 5 or the single solenoid valve 260 of the manifold configuration204 shown in FIG. 6. The processor is operative to set the previouslydescribed statuses of “In-Use,” “Reserve,” and “Empty” for the first andsecond input supply lines 12, 14 responsive to the pressure signalsproduces by the transducers 32, 36 and responsive to the open and closedcondition of the one or more previously described solenoid valves. Theprocessor is further operative to cause the previously described sets of“In-Use,” “Reserve,” and “Empty” LEDs 62, 64 shown in FIG. 3 to turn onand off responsive to the determined statuses associated with the firstand second input supply lines. In addition, the processor is furtheroperative to control the open or closed position of the solenoid valveor valves to selectively switch the supply of compressed gassed from theIn-Use input supply line to the Reserve input supply line responsive totransducer associated with the In-Use input supply line indicating apressure drop below a minimum threshold value.

As shown in FIG. 1, for systems that include an Emergency Reserve, thesystem may also include a first transducer 500 in operative connectionwith the Emergency Reserve input line 18. The first transducer 500 isoperative to measure the gas pressure corresponding to the in usepressure for the emergency reserve down stream of the emergency Reserveregulator 504. In addition the system may also include a secondtransducer 502 in operative connection with compressed gas cylinders ofthe emergency reserve supply source 28. The second transducer 502 isoperative to measure the gas pressure corresponding to the pressure forthe emergency reserve gas supply upstream of the emergency Reserveregulator 504. The outputs of the first transducer 500 and secondtransducer 502, may be monitored by the processor for use withdisplaying corresponding pressure values through the intermediatepressure reserve display device 106 and the high pressure reservedisplay device 104 respectively as shown in FIG. 4.

In the exemplary embodiment the logic board 40 may further include aplurality of relays 48. The relays may be placed in operative connectionwith the alarm devices of one or more alarm panels 44, 46. The alarmpanels 44, 46 may include audible and/or visual alarm devices which areselectively controlled by the processor through the triggering of therelays on the logic board. In one exemplary embodiment, the processor 42is operative responsive to the electrical signals of the transducers totrigger the relays 48 between open and closed positions so as toactivate the alarm devices of the alarm panels 44, 46. For example, inan exemplary embodiment, the processor may be operative to compare thepressure signals from the transducers to low and high threshold valuesand trigger corresponding alarms when the threshold values are breached.For example, when the gas pressure measured by the line pressuretransducer 36 drops sufficiently to send the electrical signals from theone transducer to a level indicative of the pressure being below theassociated low threshold value, the exemplary embodiment of theprocessor 42 is operative to trigger one or more relays 48 which causesan alarm device to provide an alarm signal indicative of the pressurefor the line pressure to the facility having fallen below an acceptablevalue. Likewise, when the gas pressure measured by the transducer 36increases sufficiently to send the electrical signals from the onetransducer to a level indicative of the pressure being above theassociated high threshold value, the exemplary embodiment of theprocessor 42 is operative to trigger one or more relays 48 which causean alarm device to provide an alarm signal indicative of the pressurefor the line pressure to the facility having risen above an acceptablevalue. In the exemplary embodiment, the logic board relays maycorrespond to the following alarm signal outputs which are individuallyactivated by the processor responsive to the transducers and the statesof the one or more solenoids: Low Line Pressure; High Line Pressure;Secondary In Use; Emergency Reserve In Use, Emergency Reserve Low.

In the exemplary embodiment the processor may be programmed with or maybe operative to access from a memory, a plurality of sets of high andlow pressure threshold values. Each set may correspond to a differenttype of manifold use and/or different type of compressed gas. In theexemplary embodiment, the logic board may include a selection device 41which enables a user to select which set of threshold values should beused by the processor when determining when to activate the alarmrelays. Examples of selection devices may include DIP switches, jumpers,dials, or any other type of input device which can be manipulated by auser.

In the exemplary embodiment the heating device may further include afixed thermostat 332 and a resettable thermostat 334 in operativeconnection with the thermostat bracket 320. The resettable thermostatmay act as a redundant thermostat in the event the fixed thermostatfails. These thermostats may be operatively configured in a circuitwhich is operative to control the output of heat by the heating device.The circuit may be operative to prevent the heating device fromoverheating the regulator, when a temperature measured by at least oneof the thermostats reaches or exceeds a predetermined level. In theexemplary embodiment, when the resettable thermostat pops off (i.e.disengages the heater), it must be manually reset to enable the heaterto turn on.

In the exemplary embodiment the line pressure regulators 208, 210 shownin FIG. 6 for example may include DISS demand valves 400. The DISSdemand valves may be used to bleed line pressure during service and asemergency feed ports for the system. An example of a system and methodof using DISS demand valves 400 in this manner is shown in U.S. Pat. No.6,305,400 B1 of Oct. 23, 2001 which is incorporated by reference hereinin its entirety.

In the exemplary embodiment of the manifold configuration 204 shown inFIG. 6, the lower portion of the manifold 218 may further includeintermediate pressure relief valves 402 in operative connection with theprimary regulators 240, 242. Also, in the exemplary embodiment of themanifold configuration 202 shown in FIG. 5, the lower portion 218 of themanifold system may include economizer circuits between the input supplylines 12, 14 and the intermediate pressure gauge 256. The economizercircuits include mechanical piping circuits which allow built up reservegas to be used in low volume rather than allowing the gas to vent toatmosphere.

Thus the new manifold system and method for compressed gases achievesone or more of the above stated objectives, eliminates difficultiesencountered in the use of prior devices and systems, solves problems andattains the desirable results described herein.

In the foregoing description certain terms have been used for brevity,clarity and understanding, however no unnecessary limitations are to beimplied therefrom because such terms are used for descriptive purposesand are intended to be broadly construed. Moreover, the descriptions andillustrations herein are by way of examples and the invention is notlimited to the exact details shown and described.

In the following claims any feature described as a means for performinga function shall be construed as encompassing any means known to thoseskilled in the art to be capable of performing the recited function, andshall not be limited to the features and structures shown herein or mereequivalents thereof. The description of the exemplary embodimentincluded in the Abstract included herewith shall not be deemed to limitthe invention to features described therein.

Having described the features, discoveries and principles of theinvention, the manner in which it is constructed and operated, and theadvantages and useful results attained; the new and useful structures,devices, elements, arrangements, parts, combinations, systems,equipment, operations, methods and relationships are set forth in theappended claims.

1. A manifold system for compressed medical gases comprising: a firstinput supply line and a second input supply line, wherein the firstinput supply line is adapted to receive a first medical gas from a firstsupply of compressed medical gas, wherein the second input supply lineis adapted to receive a second medical gas from a second supply ofcompressed medical gas, wherein the first input supply line and thesecond input supply line are operative to direct the first and secondmedical gases to a common location; at least one output supply linecoupled to receive medical gas from the common location; a first primarypressure regulator in operative connection with the first input supplyline, wherein the first primary pressure regulator is configured toreduce the pressure of medical gas flowing through the first primarypressure regulator to a first intermediate level; a second primarypressure regulator in operative connection with the second input supplyline, wherein the second primary pressure regulator is configured toreduce the pressure of medical gas flowing through the second primarypressure regulator to a second intermediate level, wherein the firstintermediate level is higher than the second intermediate level; a checkvalve between the second primary pressure regulator and the commonlocation; a solenoid valve in operative connection with the first inputsupply line, wherein the solenoid valve is operative to switch betweenan open state and a closed state, wherein in the open state the solenoidvalve is operative to permit the first medical gas from the first supplyto flow through the solenoid valve to the common location, wherein inthe closed state the solenoid valve is operative to prevent the firstmedical gas from the first supply from flowing through the solenoidvalve to the common location.
 2. The system according to claim 1,wherein when the solenoid valve is in the open state the firstintermediate pressure level associated with the first medical gasflowing into the common location from the first input supply line issufficiently higher than the second intermediate pressure level of thesecond medical gas flowing adjacent the check valve from the secondinput supply line to cause the check valve to close, thereby enablingthe first medical gas from the first input supply line to flow throughthe common location to the output supply line and thereby preventing thesecond medical gas from the second input supply line to flow to thecommon location.
 3. The system according to claim 2, wherein when thesolenoid valve is in the closed state the second intermediate pressurelevel associated with the second medical gas flowing from the secondinput supply line is sufficient to open the check valve, therebyenabling the second medical gas from the second input supply line toflow through the common location to the output supply line.
 4. Thesystem according to claim 3, further comprising a second check valvebetween the first primary pressure regulator and the common location,wherein when the solenoid valve is in the closed state the pressureassociated with medical gas flowing into the common location from thesecond input supply line is sufficient to close the second check valve.5. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a processor,wherein the processor is operative to selectively cause the solenoidvalve to change between the open and closed states, whereby the flow ofmedical gas to the output supply line from either the first input supplyline or the second input supply line is selectively controlled with asingle solenoid.
 6. The system according to claim 1, further comprisinga first transducer in operative connection with the first input supplyline and a second transducer in operative connection with the secondinput supply line, wherein the processor is responsive to signals fromthe first and second transducers which are representative of gaspressures in the first and second input supply lines to change the stateof a solenoid between the closed and open states.
 7. The systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the system does not comprise a secondsolenoid valve in operative connection with the second input supply lineupstream of the common location.
 8. The system according to claim 1,further comprising at least one line pressure regulator positionedbetween the common location and the output supply line.
 9. The systemaccording to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second primarypressure regulators includes a heating device clamped to a hexagonalportion of each of the first and second primary pressure regulators. 10.The system according to claim 1, further comprising the first and secondsupplies of medical gas, wherein each of the first and second suppliesincludes at least one compressed gas cylinder comprising a medical gasselected from the group comprising medical air, Carbon Dioxide, Helium,Hyperbaric Oxygen, Nitrogen, Nitrous Oxide, and Oxygen.
 11. A methodcomprising: a) providing a manifold system for compressed medical gaseswhich comprises only one solenoid valve; b) receiving a first medicalgas into a first input supply line of the system from a first supply ofmedical gas; c) receiving a second medical gas into a second inputsupply line of the system from a second supply of medical gas; d)reducing the pressure of the first medical gas to a first intermediatepressure level using a first primary pressure regulator of the system;e) reducing the pressure of the second medical gas to a secondintermediate pressure level using a second primary pressure regulator ofthe system, wherein the first intermediate pressure level is higher thanthe second intermediate pressure level; f) preventing with the solenoidvalve the first medical gas from flowing through the solenoid valve to acommon location of the system, wherein the solenoid valve is inoperative connection with the first input supply line downstream of thecommon location; g) enabling the second medical gas to flow from thesecond primary pressure regulator through a check valve of the system tothe common location; h) enabling the second medical gas to flow from thecommon location to an output supply line of the system; i) enabling withthe solenoid valve the first medical gas to flow through the solenoidvalve to the common location; j) causing with the first medical gas, thecheck valve to close; k) preventing with the check valve the secondmedical gas from flowing to the common location from the second primarypressure regulator; and l) enabling the first medical gas to flow fromthe common location to the output supply line.
 12. The method accordingto claim 11, wherein prior to step (i) further comprising: m) sensingwith a transducer that a pressure level associated with the second inputsupply line has fallen below a predetermined level; and wherein step (h)is performed responsive to step (m).
 13. The method according to claim11, wherein prior to step (f) further comprising: m) sensing with atransducer that a pressure level associated with the first input supplyline has fallen below a predetermined level; and wherein step (f) isperformed responsive to step (m), wherein steps (i) to (l) occur beforestep (f).
 14. The method according to claim 11, wherein step (f)includes closing the solenoid valve, wherein step (i) included openingthe solenoid valve.
 15. A method comprising: a) providing a manifoldsystem for compressed medical gases which comprises: a first inputsupply line and a second input supply line, wherein the first inputsupply line is adapted to receive a first medical gas from a firstsupply of compressed medical gas, wherein the second input supply lineis adapted to receive a second medical gas from a second supply ofcompressed medical gas, wherein the first input supply line and thesecond input supply line are operative to direct the first and secondmedical gases to a common location; at least one output supply linecoupled to receive gases from the common location; a first primarypressure regulator in operative connection with the first input supplyline; a second primary pressure regulator in operative connection withthe second input supply line; a check valve between the second primarypressure regulator and the common location; only one solenoid valve,wherein the solenoid valve is in operative connection with the firstinput supply line; b) setting the first primary pressure regulator toreduce the pressure of the first medical gas to a first intermediatepressure level c) setting the second primary pressure regulator toreduce the pressure of the second medical gas to a second intermediatepressure level, wherein the first intermediate pressure level is higherthan the second intermediate pressure level d) selectively controllingan open and closed state of the solenoid valve to control which of thefirst or second medical gases is operative to flow from the respectivefirst and second supplies to the output supply line.
 16. The methodaccording to claim 15, wherein in step (a) the system further comprisesat least one line pressure regulator positioned between the commonlocation and output supply line pressure.
 17. The method according toclaim 15, wherein in step (a) each of the first and second primarypressure regulators includes a heating device clamped to a hexagonalportion of each of the first and second primary pressure regulators. 18.The method according to claim 15, wherein in step (a) the first andsecond supplies of medical gas each include at least one compressed gascylinder comprising a medical gas selected from the group comprisingmedical air, Carbon Dioxide, Helium, Hyperbaric Oxygen, Nitrogen,Nitrous Oxide, and Oxygen.